ARKS Rugby Union Club went down 39-35 to Rockingham in a thrilling Championship A Grade clash at Harrisdale Field.
Despite missing a couple of key players, ARKS started strongly and William Wade’s converted try gave it the early lead.
However, Rockingham hit back soon after and gained an upper hand with a converted try and two penalties giving it a 13-7 lead at the break.
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READ NOWAfter half time, ARKS came out firing and Cody Chapman-Mannuel’s try put it ahead, before another Rockingham.
The last 20 minutes were fierce as ARKS strung together some wonderful tries off great phase work, but let Rockingham in with dropped balls and panicked off-loads.
Tries to Wade, Raymond Edwards and Kane Cassidy saw ARKS sneak ahead 35-32 with just five minutes remaining.
However, a late converted try and some desperate defence allowed Rockingham triumph and hand ARKS a second straight loss.
ARKS’ B Grade side triumphed 33-19 over Rockingham thanks to a superb first half effort.
Oshay Jensen crossed to give it an early lead before grabbing a second try soon after, before Blair Gibbons extended the lead to 19-0 at half time.
Rockingham started to come back in the second half, registering the first two scores before ARKS steadied.
Meanwhile, ARKS’ under-20s went down in a fighting 38-7 loss to Associates.
The inexperienced side once again found itself up against a much stronger and older side, but battled hard.
Despite trailing 33-0 at the break, ARKS more than held its own in the second, notching a deserved late try to avoid finishing scoreless.
ARKS faces a mixed schedule next up, with the A Grade side hosting Kwinana, while the B Grade side hosts Southern Lions and the under-20s travel to Cottesloe.
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